At home
Modern home pregnancy tests are highly accurate when used correctly and some doctors accept a home positive result without retesting to confirm pregnancy. The tests check for the presence, or absence, of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gondatrophin, or HCG, in your urine.
Pretty much all home tests can be effective from the first day your period is due, though most kits are now able to give an accurate positive test even earlier. To avoid spending countless pounds and the emotional rollercoaster of repeated testing though, it's best to wait until your period is late before testing.
Most home pregnancy tests require you to pee on a stick for a few seconds, then a few minutes later lines, spots or a colour mark will indicate your test result. It's essential that whatever brand of test you use, you read the instructions carefully and follow them to the letter. Make sure that you time the waiting period accurately as leaving the test for too long a time, as well as too little, may affect the results.
Test kit addiction!
It is very easy to become hooked on rushing to the test kits every couple of days, especially if they are ones you can use before your
period is due. However, kits are not cheap, even if you buy them bulk on the internet.
Try to be patient so that you are sure the result is accurate rather than getting a negative from doing a test that is really too early for the kit
you have bought. If you do this you will be tempted to retry it more often and this can lead to further disappointment. Doing one test per month is enough if you time it right, according to the kit you've bought.
